6 Health Tips for Students Attending

Online Classes at Home

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect everyone, including students. With most
schools opting to remain closed to protect the community, much like everything else, the
educational system has to shift to online learning. Classes will be held at home via virtual
classrooms—a major change that students need to adapt to with the help of their parents.
 

Essentials for Conducting Online Classes at Home

To help students adjust to homeschooling, they need an environment that is conducive to
learning, fun and comfortable for their lifestyle, and safe for their health, all at the same
time.
 
Aside from a laptop or desktop computer connected to a stable internet connection, an ideal
study area at home should include these essential pieces of equipment and facilities.
 

 Blue light filter or glasses. The blue light that comes from smartphones, tablets, and
computers can be a cause for discomfort to the eye if the level of contrast of the
screen is not comfortable for viewing. As a workaround, blue filter apps or computer
glasses can be used to shield the students’ eyes from this “visual noise.”
 

 Ergonomic furniture. Students need to have a proper table and chair set-up, one that
matches their height and provides support to their body so that they won’t suffer from
posture-related problems.
 

 Well-ventilated room. Online classes can go for hours, so it’s essential to keep the
air in the study area clean and fresh. A well-ventilated room with open doors and
windows and electric or exhaust fans allow fresh air to get in and keep stale air out.
 

 Quiet surroundings. Students will find it easier to concentrate on their school work if

their study area is separated from the busy parts of the house, such as the living
room, dining room, or kitchen.
 
Health Tips for Homeschooling Students
With proper guidance from their parents, homeschooling children can stay healthy mentally
and physically with these online class tips.
 

1. Take regular breaks away from the computer screen

Spending long periods of time looking at computer screens is one of the culprits for eye
strain. On average, humans blink about 15 to 20 times every minute, but these numbers
may decrease when someone is preoccupied, like looking at the computer.

Using the 20-20-20 rule is an excellent way to help avoid this kind of problem for
homeschooling kids. This rule involves taking a break every 20 minutes by looking at
something that’s 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Aside from the harmful effect on children’s eyes, sitting for hours can also lead to a shorter
lifespan for children as this can change the way their blood flows or their arteries work.
Students can use their break time to leave their seats, step out of the room, or do some
stretching. Even short bursts of movement go a long way in managing the effects of
prolonged sitting.
 

2. Stick to a routine and track progress

Even if they’re studying from home, it would be better for students to follow the same
routine they had in a traditional school. This should help them develop a mindset that
involves knowing how to manage their time properly, with a specific schedule dedicated to
classwork, end-of-day assignments, lesson review, and the like.

By keeping a regular schedule for their online classes, they’ll be able to log off on time and
still have a chance to do other things they like.
 

3. Prepare healthy meals and snacks

Giving students healthy and nutritious food and drinks will keep them energetic, focused,
and happy throughout the day.

Although it may be more convenient to serve school-age children with ready-to-eat snacks
sold commercially, parents can try to be more creative in planning the household menu.
Instead of junk food, they should come up with freshly prepared dishes during meal times.
 

4. Drink lots of water

In addition to eating healthy food, children should also develop the habit of drinking
adequate amounts of water. For most people, the ideal amount of water to consume is four
(4) to six (6) glasses, but this may vary depending on several factors.

With children attending online classes at home, parents could start training or retraining
them to drink water gradually throughout the day, such as after each meal. Also, fruits are
rich in water, so children need to have more of them in their diet to regulate their fluid
consumption better.
 

5. Get a good night’s sleep

Good quality sleep is vital for children’s physical growth, cognitive abilities, and mental
health. Experts recommend that children aged 6 to 12 should get 9 to 12 hours of sleep
every day, while teenagers need 8 to 10 hours of shuteye to reset their body clock.

To promote good sleeping habits among young family members, parents could try setting
some house rules like no watching of TV in the bedroom or not placing a cell phone by the
bedside to be used as an alarm clock. The goal is to keep children away from things that
may keep them awake late at night.
 

6. Don’t forget to socialize or have family time

Humans are social beings, and in this period of new normal, students are faced with a
different set of challenges. With the lack of personal interaction with their teachers,
classmates, or peers, children can easily feel isolated or socially detached. As such,
parents and older members of the family should make themselves available and spend
after-school quality time as a family.

Weekends should be free of any school work but instead filled with recreational activities,
whether they want to play online games with their friends, have an online playdate, watch
movies, bike at the neighborhood park, and so on. These things can be good reminders for
children that, despite the challenges, they have their family, friends, and community to
support them.
 

Make Homeschooling a Happy and Healthy Experience for Students

As students transition to homeschooling, they may need a little help until they get used to
the new system. Parents and other family members have a critical role to play in ensuring
that students are not only productive but also healthy in body and mind while attending
online classes from home.
 
Help online students stay mentally and physically healthy. For sound health advice and any
other health concerns, consult with Makati Medical Center doctors at the Department of
Pediatrics.
21 Study Tips for Online
Classes Success
My most important tip for anyone attending or considering an online degree is to stay on task.
It’s understandable that sometimes things happen in life that are unforeseen and pull us away
from our studies. But you must keep your primary goal in mind.
When you set goals that are personally important, you’re more likely to manage your time in a
way to accomplish them.
For online study to be a successful experience, you need to be passionate about your chosen
course of study. This passion will drive you to be disciplined and to persevere when deadlines
are looming.
Focus on the big picture and remember why you chose to study in the first place. Take one step
at a time and, before you know it, you'll be closer to achieving your dreams.
Keep in mind why you are seeking this degree. Just having the mindset that I'm doing this for
my family, or I'm doing this for a better career, or just doing it to say "hey I did it" is enough
encouragement to keep your mind on your studies.
Keep the end goal in mind. When I have been stressed about a deadline, or my thoughts are
diverted from my studies, I like to take a 5-minute break and visualize where I want to be. My
end goal is to be a social worker in the hospital, because my children both have a rare disease
and the social worker has been a great influence to me during our many hospital stays. I
visualize myself helping other parents during their difficult times, and it helps me get back on
track.
Want it! Want it bad enough to obtain it through any means necessary. It's imperative to read
more, listen closely, collaborate and keep in close contact with online teams, professors and
peers.
Constantly remind yourself why you are going to school. Online school is completely self-driven
and reminding yourself why you started in the first place can boost your drive and help you
achieve your goal of a diploma!
That desire to attain dreams and become a student must always be with you, through every
course, and for every goal you wish to accomplish. You must approach assignments with
conviction, whether it be taking notes on a 2-minute educational video or doing research for a
thesis.
2. Treat Study Like a Job
Always remember, study is your work. Consciously choose to show up, absorb wonderful
content available to you, schedule in assessments, lectures, tasks, and really set and keep those
boundaries. Have a success mindset. Implement firm boundaries. Keep a schedule like your
depends on it.
I plan to treat my online classes like a job. Setting daily goals and making checklists can help me
succeed in each course and project, allowing me to prove that I can work efficiently and
independently. Accomplishing small goals each day and creating a portfolio will help motivate
me to keep working.
Make school your top priority every day and you can't fail!
Some online classes ask you to post a picture of yourself that your classmates can see on your
online class. I have seen some doozies, including shots that almost look pornographic. Please
remember that your online class is not a model shoot where you get to show off your assets.
Oh, and that also includes posting a picture of your dog’s face instead of yours.
3. Make a Study Plan
Make a study plan! At the beginning of each term I take the time to plan readings and work on
assignments. Although I regularly adjust the plan if necessary, it keeps me on track.
Set out a clear and achievable study plan and stick to it to it 95% of the time, allowing yourself
some room and respite for the unexpected.
Be organized and set a certain amount of hours per day or week into your schedule for
studying.
Write out a weekly schedule with dates and times. Make sure to set aside enough time to focus
only on school with no distractions. That's important.
Have a planner for school only. In my planner I can organize my daily tasks or assignments that
need to be completed. I will write down how many times I will have to be involved in discussion.
I will also schedule my study sessions and which topic I will be working on for that day. This
really helps me to stay on top of due dates and keeps me on track to be successful in my
classes.
Plan ahead! When it comes to online school, you don’t have a set time to sit around and do your
work. You must always plan a time specifically on your own to do your work.
I strongly recommend creating a semester plan, study plan, and time management strategy
according to the prescribed study hours per week. These should be made a few days before the
semester starts.

4. Manage Time Carefully

Set a schedule and stick with it to keep you structured. People generally do better in a
structured environment. So why not make it even easier for yourself? If you know what time
block you devote to school, you are more apt to be consistent, avoid late assignments and put
study first.
I used to wait until the last minute to complete and submit my assignments. That does nothing
but add more stress. I have come to realize that, if I pace myself and stay proactive in my
classes, I feel better about my assignments. If I mess up on something, I still have time to go
back and fix it.
Estimate how much time you will need for study. Set up a schedule and inform your family /
housemates. It’s imperative to have the support of the people you live with. They can't help you
succeed if you don't give them a chance.
Success in online study boils down to one skill that can be applied to everything you do in life:
Time Management. Make a schedule that you can quickly check to see what you need to
accomplish and when those tasks need to be complete. Set aside time for yourself and for your
studies. During your dedicated study time, try to disconnect from distractions like social media,
your phone, or television so that you are able to focus on what you really need to get done. And
when you finish the assignments ahead of schedule like the rock star you are? Look ahead and
get a jump on future work. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.
Make a weekly plan the day before a new week starts so you know what you are going to do as
far as homework and research. Divide everything up during the week so you know what to
complete on a daily basis. Review materials in small portions so you’re not cramming
everything into one day, stressing out, and trying to hurry and get everything done at the last
minute.

5. Have Dedicated Study Blocks

First and foremost, there needs to be time set aside each day, without interruptions, to fully
focus on your work.
Make time for your schooling. No matter how busy you are, you’re going to have to cut time out
of your life to focus on school. Sacrifices will have to be made – deal with it. If I have a
kickboxing tournament the same night as an exam, guess what? Exam it is!
It is best to have a scheduled time to study. I have two hours a night set aside for my studies.
When my boys were younger, this was after they went to bed, so I had from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
every night for my studies. Now we do homework/studies together at night.
What has been incredibly helpful to me is setting aside ‘school time’. This has been essentially
my savings grace. I treat my online classes as if they are a traditional classroom setting. Three
times a week I ‘go to school’. I literally block off a two hour window to complete homework,
participate in online discussions with my classmates, and also study. I don’t allow myself to be
‘late’ to school or to reschedule class time in light of social events, activities, or anything else
that could easily become a diversion.
Your education is important so scheduling the right time each day to focus on it can really make
a difference. This schedule allows you to get everything done without feeling like you neglected
anything.
Set aside a time. I prefer early morning. I run into office earlier (usually 1 hour earlier) and
dedicate this to study. I lock myself in my room. Morning is best, because you are still fresh and
have not yet had any work related stress issues have been brought to your desk.
Dedicate a specific amount of time each day or each week to studying and commit to it. A lot
can come up in life, and there will always be many distractions. If you are a morning person,
then wake up an hour earlier and spend some time studying. If you are a night owl, then
dedicate some of that Facebook and Instagram time on an evening to studying.
Personally, I tend to enjoy (and benefit) the most from my courses when I deliberately schedule
blocks of time in advance to devote to school work. This helps me to prioritize school and meet
my deadlines, while still allowing me to have an otherwise busy, active life.

6. Find a Quiet Space

Pick a time throughout the day when either everyone is away from home, pick a corner of the
house where you can relax and study.
Create a space of peace. You need to designate an area that is free of distraction. When
diversions are present, it may reflect in poor quality of work; hindering your education.
Discussing your "quiet zone" with your family or friends may be beneficial as well so they
understand that your time is crucial to your academic success.
Make sure the kids are not around or are sleeping. I have found that a quiet house is much
more conducive to quality study time.
Tell your family or roommates that you need quiet time and to not be disturbed. This works
because if you are not disturbed you are not likely to lose train of thought or get distracted.

7. Eliminate Distractions
Dedicate a specified time for school work each day and isolate yourself from distractions. When
I was enrolled in my online Spanish class during the summer in high school, I made it a point to
work at least 2 hours a day on the course directly after lunch. If it is routine, then it will be easy
to maintain. I also placed myself at the table with only the computer so that nothing else could
gain my attention.
I've found that it's important to have a designated study area free from outside noises and
distractions. Turn off mobile phones and TV. Some background music can help you to relax, but
it's important that it's not too loud to become a distraction.

Cut off all electronics or put them on silent. A distraction-free environment slows your thinking
down and helps you feel more at ease because you are no longer concentrating about
everyone else. It overcomes the problem of not being able to concentrate when you try to
study.

Allow quiet time to focus. My time is in the morning before the kids wake up is when my mind is
awake, fresh to new ideas and most creative. I believe that creativity is an important asset for
completing assignments.

8. Limit Social Media

Sure, it's fun to get lost in the black hole of Facebook, but when it comes to getting a college
degree, that blue and white "thumbs up" gets shoved to the wayside for studying!
One way that I stay focused on my studies is by logging off of all my social media accounts.
There are enough distractions around me in the real world. I don't need to add more in the
virtual world. It's easy to lose track of time scrolling through your friend's vacation photos or
reading all of your favorite comedian's hilarious tweets.
Since the computer screen is an online student's classroom, it may be difficult to resist the
temptation to see how many Likes my latest post received, but by logging off and not having my
social media pages up, I'm able to focus more on what I'm reading or on the assignment I'm
working on.
When I have a big project due... I go off the grid. I will literally disable my Facebook account I will
utilize my phone settings such as do not disturb mode so I won't be tempted to chat instead of
work.
9. Use Online Resources
Use any of the student resources that are available. For instance, your college has an online
library which offers sources for assignments. Another resource that is sometimes available is a
writing center. If you need your paper fixed or just have a question on formatting, the writing
center can help.
I would assume that most online colleges have resources available to help with your studies.
The college that I attend has a virtual Math tutor. I also have an excellent writing center. One
program checks plagiarism another check for grammar and spelling errors.
My tip for succeeding at online study is to make sure you learn how to navigate around your
classroom home tabs. This is where you will find your weekly assignments and activities. You
will also find your teacher info and fellow classmates for if you have questions. Learn your
school website so you know how to access your library, upcoming classes, website info,
technical support, and more. Also make sure you know how to contact your school, teachers,
and other people when you have a question or concern. Take time to click on each tab on the
school website to see what they all do and mean before you get started.

10. Break Down Tasks

Having a detailed calendar of what you will accomplish each day will definitely give you the base
to achieve your goals.
I have found the best way to study is to break the information down. It is easier to retain small
amounts of information at a time and is not as time consuming. You do not feel as though you
are "cramming". I can divide my time up on each section which ultimately puts me in control of
what I am studying and prevents the studying from taking over me. Small breaks in between
sections allow me to refresh my brain and give me the extra boost to continue on.
Create a timetable which breaks your study schedule up into 1-hour study blocks with 15
minute breaks in between. This style of studying will seem less daunting and allow for you to
keep on top of your work. By studying in small blocks, your brain is also better able to
consolidate and understand the information – thus facilitating an enriched learning experience,
as opposed to rote learning, where you essentially forget all the information after or even
during the assessment.
Each study session should have a specific goal.
11. Be Mentally Engaged
I like to quiz myself on whatever I am studying. This helps me to check my knowledge, and feel
more confident when it is time for the real exam.
Go back and either watch the video or read the chapter again. If you do not understand it, do
not just keep going and hope it makes sense. Going back and doing it again and again always
makes it stick.
A good strategy for success is to turn off all distractions. Turn off the TV, radio and phone and
focus on the work. This will help you to better concentrate on the task at hand (and without the
distractions that social media can provide). When you allow yourself to become absorbed in
study, learning improves.

12. Take Notes

Write down important points. Just like in a traditional classroom setting, taking notes may make
it easier to remember the important pieces of information you will need to retain.
When I first started studying online, I found it difficult to listen to videos 3 hours straight and
remember everything. Take breaks! Also, you could record teaching videos if they are only
streamed online. Divide the video into several parts, depending on topics and sub-topics. Give
the file a name (Psychology: An Introduction) and a date (27.09.2015) so it is easier to find at a
later point. Write down in bullet points what you can hear (Psychology is…) in each section and
put the time (01:35 or 00:57-2:13) behind it.
All of my books through my college are eBooks, and I use digital text for reading. I sit at my
computer and use my headphones to listen to the book as I follow along, highlighting important
points. When finished, I go over it and write all the important points in outline format using pen
and paper. This helps me retain the information. Doing this has been vital for my study time.
Keep notes on a regular Word document and click on the “Ctrl” & “F” key to find information.
This has been a tremendous help when taking online quizzes and exams. Your notes are all
available on the same document and easier to find when needed, rather than having your
information scattered in various areas.
13. Browse Intelligently
You have the entire world at your fingertips. You can research entire events from history in
color, or have a renowned mathematician take your hand and work you through a problem, or
a scientist explain to you how exactly your solar system works. Use your time and resources
wisely.
To keep my research organized, I created an online flashcards account and keep the tab open
while online. I created a folder for each class and made a set of cards for the various study
topics. When I find interesting content, I copy the data to a flashcard and include a link back to
the source. Because the flashcards are stored online, they can be accessed at any time, even
when I am reading online material using my phone.

14. Make Study Enjoyable

Playing happy music keeps me alert and in a good mood. Keeping good vibes going while I
study, make the studying go by faster, and much more enjoyable.
Play mellow music. When I study, the music helps me remember what I studied and I tend to
turn it in to a song.
My tip is coffee, coffee, coffee and more coffee. Well, OK, that's just for me. And, if you don't
have a quiet room because you have noisy children who do not come with a volume control, try
noise cancelling headphones (joke).
I like to study with coffee. Coffee is my treat for myself when I need to study hard. By starting
my studying with something I enjoy, it makes my entire study session better.
Have fun. It is exciting and rewarding to be in school and learning about new topics that
interest you. It is too easy to get stressed out when going to school online but, if done correctly,
the schooling can be very rewarding.
Above all else, enjoy the process, the opportunities and unique experience that online study
can provide!

15. Take Breaks

Take frequent, short breaks. My mind becomes a little bit numb after an hour of looking at the
computer screen, so I have found that stepping away and taking a few minutes to myself is a
way to rejuvenate my brain.
Maintain regular breaks to avoid strain (and make sure your study space is set up correctly). A
quick break and walk outside can really revitalize you to continue studies. And don’t force it. Do
the work when you are in the right frame of mind (online studies are more flexible so you can
do this).
Schedule breaks of 5 or ten minutes between study time. It helps you get a breather and grab a
snack or use bathroom. You stay on track while also getting a few minutes of peace and relief.
Decide on a task, set a timer for 25 minutes, and work! If a distraction pops into your head,
write it down, but get back to the task. When the bell rings, have a small break. Go for a walk,
make a cup of tea, or find a dog to cuddle. This legitimately stops me from getting square eyes.
Mum would be proud.

16. Stay Healthy

Stay healthy! “Mens sana in corpore sano: A healthy mind in a healthy body”. Our brain can only
work to its fullest if our body is well. Have regular breaks that involve exercise and fresh air and
eat good food! Preparing a healthy meal or going for a run is not wasting your time. I usually
come up with my best ideas during a mountain jog.
Eating well, getting plenty of sleep and taking regular breaks for 10-15 mins to stretch the arms
and legs helps keep focus and avoids eye strain from computer monitors.
Eat healthy and stay hydrated. While running around doing everything, I was forgetting to eat
right and not drinking enough fluids. So guess what happened? I became ill. That really placed a
huge stone in my educational road. You can't study online when you’re in hospital, so think
about you.
The important thing is sleep. We as human adults need seven to eight hours of sleep to
function. I understand that the need to cram all knowledge before a quiz is a well-known idea of
college but studying is key. I am not talking about studying the night before, but possibly the
month before. The night before a quiz should be dedicated to a good meal and sleep. When the
brain is asleep, the mind can think clearly and go over past studying tips.
Getting rest is a must. I find my papers sound less insane if I have had a decent night’s sleep.
Don’t overdo it. Remember to spend time with friends and family. It is good to have some
balance. It’s good for your overall happiness, sanity and for the preservation of relationships.
17. Connect with Others
Connect with others! Online portals, discussion boards and Facebook can help to find students
in the same course, maybe even in your local area. Connect with peers and team up for group
assessments, stay in touch, and help each other with proof-reading, tips and exchange of
resources. Talking to other students opens my mind and keeps me motivated.
An important part of the online classroom is classroom participation and discussion. Posts that
engage others in a back and forth repartee aid in the conceptualization of research papers and
slide presentations that are assigned as homework. Although class participation does not
amount to a large percentage of my grade, it does guide my though processes for the entire
class. It accounts for the A-grade point average that I've maintained throughout the course of
my online study.
Engage! Don’t disengage simply because it is online learning. Interact with your classmates and
lecturer as though you were doing in-class learning to gain the ultimate benefits.
Communication with other students is vital. People may think that online schooling is a way to
avoid talking to other students. However, this is not true. In order to fully comprehend certain
material, it is sometime necessary to see another person’s point of view on the subject matter.
Talking to other students by messaging or posting comments can sometimes open a student’s
mind to other opinions or help them understand an assignment. Students learn from each
other and cooperative learning is the same online as it is in any traditional college.
Stay proactive in your class as well as with your classmates. Ask questions and participate as
much as you can. There are so many great opportunities as an online learner because the
students in your class are usually from all over the United States. As a student, you are able to
draw information and gain more knowledge and different perspectives than you may in a face-
to-face classroom setting.
Communication is the number one thing that will make online learning a positive experience.
Email your professor, post in the forums, text your classmates – use every communication skill
you have to make sure you are getting what you need from the course. Getting to know your
classmates as much as possible is a positive aspect of online learning. You never know when
you will make a new friend!
I am new to online courses and realized rather quickly that just responding to the professor’s
posts was not enough. To get a better grasp of the idea or concept being taught in a group
discussion, we must ask questions among ourselves and respond in a positive manner to ideas
that would be considered “Thinking outside the box”.
Email etiquette is essential and extremely important as it is the only form of communication
many online programs partake in. A simple "Good Morning", "I hope this email reaches you
well", "Thank you", "Please" or "You are greatly appreciated" matters a lot. Warm gestures go a
long way and I'm constantly reminded that it makes a huge difference.

18. Join a Study Team

Create a team of virtual friends, 2-3, maybe more and have regular discussions. Meet up like
once a fortnight to pick each other’s brains, see how far each is with the assignments, and also
any challenges anyone is facing. This can be through WhatsApp or Facebook.
Build relationships with fellow students. I’ve made some wonderful friendships that are based
on a mutual passion for the nursing profession and providing support and encouragement for
each other through the highs and lows that can come with study.
One of the best ways to be successful is to group together with some study buddies. The
friends I have made have been invaluable for surviving and passing online courses. We are
there for each other to bounce ideas, work out task requirements, cram for exams and offload
when stressed. We are encouraging and remind one another that it will all be worth it.

We all struggled in the same ways, with the same assignments and readings and, once we discovered this, were
able to assist each other. Everyone is fighting for the same goal.

19. Ask Questions

It's important if you're struggling with a topic to be proactive and seek out help. Many online courses have
great teachers just waiting to assist you.
Ask questions as soon as you have them. There's nothing worse than convincing yourself that you will
eventually learn the subject and find out a week later that you still do not understand the topic. Generally with
online classes, one week is built off the knowledge of the past week. If you do not understand week 1, you will
have greater difficulty in week 2, and so on.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you don't understand, just ask. The professors are there to help. Failure to ask
may cost you a good grade on an assignment.
If you are confused about a course or have questions about an assignment, do not hesitate to ask your
instructor. They are there to guide students in the learning process. They want to help students succeed.
20. Beat Deadlines
Set a strict guideline on assignments. If an assignment is due on a Monday, do not wait to do it until Sunday
night. It creates unnecessary stress and anxiety.
Most students find themselves putting in a lot of work on the day an assignment is due. I like to pretend that
everything is due one day early, giving me a little extra time if needed.
For bigger assignments, such as outlines and essays, it is beneficial to set a personal deadline to finish 2 days
before the actual deadline. Two days is an ideal time to do extra revision and editing to any work. It allows 1
day for rest and 1 day to revisit the work with clear eyes. That one day could mean catching errors in grammar
that were missed in the original revision process and making a satisfactory grade into an excellent one.
Save your work when you are finished and come back them next day and read it aloud. You will find more
mistakes that way and possibly see a better way to write something. This only works if you manage your time
well enough to have those extra hours later to review.
Taking online courses does not mean putting away homework for a few days and catching up on The Walking
Dead series, before finishing a course project 2 hours before midnight on the night it is due. I have learned to
not procrastinate because I like my sleep better than pulling all-nighters.
Finishing work early means you have more time to ask questions or make improvements. The flexibility of
online study should allow you to review and critique your work before turning it in.

21. Reward Yourself

If you get an A on a paper, treat yourself. If you get an A in the class, go big. You have to remember that you
do have a life. Go out with your friends. Go to the movies with your partner. If you only do homework, you’re
going to get burned out.
Reward yourself! "Look, if I can just sit down for 2 hours and kick this math in the ass, then I can take myself
out for a nice greasy burger!" It always seems to be easier to motivate ourselves when we know there's
something waiting for us at the finish line.
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Screen time guidelines: DepEd

sets number of hours on
 screen, depending on grade
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Jaehwa Bernardo, ABS-CBN News
Posted at Sep 03 2020 05:57 PM | Updated as of Sep 03 2020 05:59 PM

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MANILA — The Department of Education has set the number of hours that students could spend
using devices as learning goes online during the coronavirus pandemic.

Kindergarten pupils can spend a maximum of one hour using their devices, based on a department
memorandum made public Thursday by Undersecretary Alain Pascua.

Learners in Grade 1 to 5 are allowed an hour and a half of screen time while those in Grade 6 to 8, 2
hours, according to the memorandum.

Grade 9 to 12 students can spend a maximum of 2 hours in front of their devices in the morning and
another 2 hours in the afternoon.

The screen time guidelines were adopted from the American Academy of Pediatrics and World
Health Organization, according to the memorandum.

Child development specialist Sheila Marie Hocson earlier said it was not advisable for children to
have long screen time as this could strain their eyes. Children may also not fully absorb their lessons.

 DepEd clarifies: 8-hour online classes just a suggestion

In the coming school year, most students will be learning at home through printed and digital
modules, online classes, television and radio as in-person classes remain prohibited due to the threat
of COVID-19.

Classes in public schools are scheduled to start on October 5.

World Health Organization Suggests 1-
Hour Limit On Kids’ Gadget Use

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION – The World Health Organization (WHO)

revealed that kids should be allowed to use gadgets with one(1) hour limit only.

Visibly, the world that the young generation are living in now is really far different
from what the senior citizens of today’s have experienced. One visible aspect is
when it comes to playing.

Nowadays, a lot of children would prefer playing in front of computers, mobile

phones, and tablets than go out and play with other kids in the streets. The young
ones allot so much time in front of the screens.

On the positive side, the kids now are brilliant and well-equipped in using the
technology. They can also learn a lot from educational videos and programs that
they can watch using gadgets.

Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the World Health Organization experts

convened and studied the gadget use of the kids. The discussion led to the
discovery that the children should be allowed to use gadgets but for one(1) hour
or less only daily.

According to the Organization, in order for the children to grow healthy, the “sit
less and play more” concept should be observed. Even the young ones who are
below one(1) year old should be given time to play in mats.

With regards to physical activities like playing with real toys, a minimum of three-
hour playtime for kids is recommended to the parents. Puzzles and other
educational toys are highly suggested for the children.
According to Headway School for Giftedness principal Ijssel Alejandro Menes, over
exposure to gadget screens may lead to children developing screen dependency
disorder.

Based on the report, kids who have this kind of condition will develop a habit of
constantly looking for the gadget even from the moment he or she wakes up.
Indeed, parents should really impose a strict limit on the kids’ use of the gadgets
to avoid it.

One hour a day: World Health

Organisation issues first guidelines for
kids' screen time

Children younger than a year old shouldn't be exposed to any electronic screens,
according to guidelines issued Wednesday by the World Health Organisation.

The United Nations agency, issuing its first such guidelines, also recommended that
children ages two to four have no more than one hour of "sedentary screen time" -
including playing computer games or watching TV - per day. It emphasised that
young kids need be physically active and get enough sleep, habits that go a long way
in preventing obesity and other diseases later in life.

Children are being urged to go outside and take a break from handheld devices or risk
short-sightedness.
1:09

“Achieving health for all means doing what is best for health right from the beginning
of people's lives," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a
statement. "Early childhood is a period of rapid development and a time when family
lifestyle patterns can be adapted to boost health gains."
The action comes amid growing research into the developmental effects of the
widespread use of computers and mobile devices by children. One concern is that the
mesmerising effects of videos keep young children from connecting with their parents
and others, a key facet in building the sophisticated social skills that are central to
human development.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics found earlier this year that 90.3 per cent of
kids between five and 14 spent time on screen-based activities when not at school,
and most of those - 56.8 per cent - were glued to screens for 10 or more hours
each week.

Surveys have consistently shown that children have been exposed to rising amounts of
screen time in recent years, including by parents struggling with the challenges of
managing the moods and time demands of young children. Many of the most popular
channels on YouTube, for example, feature nursery rhymes, simplistic games and
other content that appeal to preschoolers. (YouTube long has maintained that its
service is intended for those 13 or older.)

"It's extraordinarily important that someone with the authority and reach of the WHO
is saying this," said Josh Golin of the Campaign for a Commercial Free-Childhood, an
advocacy group based in the US. He said of screen time for children, "It's not essential
to learning, and it's not effective at teaching".

Golin also said that studies show worrying signs of possible developmental effects on
the ability of children to acquire language and social skills. Even the use of mobile
devices by parents can affect their children by distracting mothers and fathers from
the routine interaction young minds crave, he said.

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The WHO guidelines vary somewhat from the recommendations of the American
Academy of Pediatrics in 2016. At the time, the AAP said that infants and toddlers
younger than 18 months should only be in front of screens to video-chat with people
their parents approve of. Educational shows could be introduced to kids 18 to 24
months old, but the AAP emphasised that parents should "prioritise creative,
unplugged playtime for infants and toddlers".
Babies should not be exposed to screens at all and instead engage in interactive floor-
based play, the WHO said. It also recommended that kids ages 1 to 4 have at least
three hours of physical activity daily.

Concerns about children and screen time began well before kids starting reaching for
their parents' iPads and smartphones, said Emily Oster, a professor of economics at
Brown University and the author of Cribsheet: a Data-Driven Guide to Better, More
Relaxed Parenting. But there isn't yet enough compelling evidence, Oster said,
tracking the effects of screens beyond a household television. Kids who grew up
around iPads, for example, aren't old enough for researchers to measure their
educational or developmental growth.
Parents ultimately face choices, Oster said.

"I think people need to look at this and think about the fact that these guidelines are
not based on some underlying, well-rehearsed truth and use their judgment to decide
what's going to work," Oster said. "These ideas that kids are going to be physically
active and get enough sleep - that's a good idea, but it's not all about screens."

There has been a push in recent years to study what some experts call the "addictive"
effects of some technologies, especially social media and online services such as
YouTube that automatically play one video after another. A bipartisan group of
politicians in the US have proposed legislation calling for the National Institutes of
Health to conduct a $US40 million, multi-year study of the effect of technology,
screen time and online media on infants and other children.

"It's important to make sure kids aren't spending too much time in front of screens, but
we need a comprehensive national discussion about how to ensure children and teens'
health and wellness as their technology use increases," Markey said in a statement
after the release of the WHO guidelines.

Inadequate physical activity is directly linked to more than 5 million deaths

worldwide, across all age groups, in a given year, according to the WHO. Nearly one-
quarter of adults, and 80 per cent of adolescents, aren't active enough - and learn
harmful habits early in life.

There's an important difference between "screen time" and "screen use" said Stephen
Balkam, founder and chief executive of the Family Online Safety Institute, who
members including major technology industry players such as Google, Facebook and
Amazon.
"What we don't want is to set up a situation where parents feel shamed by the fact that
they do use tablets and so on when they're cooking, or something like that," Balkam
said. "It's about trying to find a balance."

The effects of high doses of radiation are as follows:

1. It can cause internal bleeding and rupture of blood vessels which are seen as red
spots on the skin.
2. The lens of eye is very sensitive to radiation. On radiation exposure cells of eye
lens die and it becomes opaque, forming cataract that results in impaired sight.
3. High doses of radiation also cause radiation sickness with symptoms of
vomiting, bleeding of gums and in severe cases even mouth ulcers.